With the news that the Redskins will be keeping their corporate headquarters in Ashburn, VA and will be moving their training camp to Richmond, VA starting next season, are the Redskins becoming more of a Virginia based team as opposed to a DC or Maryland team? The Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell and the Mayor of Richmond, VA Dwight Jones seem to think just that...

D.C. vs. Va. - A battle over the Redskins?
WASHINGTON - Mayor Vincent Gray has made no bones about wanting the Washington Redskins to be more closely attached to D.C.

And now a politician in Loudoun County is reacting.

County Supervisor Shawn Williams wrote a letter to Redskins owner Dan Snyder last week thanking him for continuing to keep the Redskins practice facility in Ashburn.

Williams also re-opened the possibility of building a Redskins hall of fame in Loudoun. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors had previously rejected a similar proposal because of concerns about the use of taxpayer money on the project.

Gray, speaking on WTOP's "Ask the Mayor" program in November, said "we have had discussions with people who are associated with the team."

He said they would like to have the Redskins' training facility in D.C.

At an event last week, Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell couldn't resist taking a jab about the Redskins practicing in Virginia, when he said to Gray, "I didn't wear my Virginia Redskins jacket."

McDonnell was remarking on Md. Gov. Martin O'Malley wearing a Baltimore Ravens jacket in support of that team's making the playoffs.

"Not only is [Redskins football] marvelous entertainment, not only do we live and die with that Sunday afternoon Redskins game, but we also understand what you bring to the Commonwealth of Virginia," McDonnell said, via Redskins.com. "We know you have a D.C. link, we know you play on Sundays in Maryland, but we know you spend most of your time in Ashburn, Virginia. We're very grateful and excited about that."

Speaking about Virginia’s successful effort to retain Redskins corporate headquarters, and the accompanying expansion of the team’s training facility, as well as the Redskins decision to further the team’s relationship with the Commonwealth by making plans to relocate its annual summer training camp in Richmond starting in 2013, Governor McDonnell noted, “Virginia considers the Redskins our team. The team is based here. The team trains here. The players live here. Virginians root for the Redskins on the field, and off the field the team contributes greatly to the economy and culture of the Commonwealth. Virginia is committed to keeping the Redskins right here in our state for years to come, and today we’ve taken a significant step towards accomplishing that goal. This is a positive and exciting development for football fans from Loudoun County to Richmond to Virginia Beach. It will mean more jobs in our state, and more revenue for state and local coffers. More than anything, it means Virginia will remain ‘Redskins Country.’ In the years ahead I look forward to visiting the new expanded training facility in Loudoun County, and watching the team practice right here in our state capital of Richmond.”

“We’ve actually been in contact with them for quite some time,” Dwight Jones said on Richmond’s ESPN 950. “And actually, the coach really wanted to expand the footprint of the team. They really want to be a Virginia team, and so they really kind of pushed this thing along, even to the point of not having an exact location. They’re signed on for eight years. They have some very specific requirements. We’re gonna meet ‘em. We’re gonna make it happen.”

So what's Plan B? Virginia couldn't complete a deal with Cooke in 1992 despite a news conference at Potomac Yards. Richmond lawmakers aren't keen on spending money for a stadium on its border with Washington as the team's name. However, the team's relocation of training camp to Richmond beginning this summer will soften opposition should it remain in the Virginia capital past the 2020 deal.

Potomac Yards is no longer viable, but sources said there are available sites if a deal is made in coming years.

Last edited by KERRAKPO9198 on Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:44 pm, edited 14 times in total.

They already are. My brother-in-law, who works for Jim Cheng, the Secretary of Commerce for the Commonwealth, told me around Christmas that Virginia has already put together a delegation to work with Snyder and his top brass to get them to build their stadium within the borders of the Virginia (the exact location is still one factor being negotiated). Supposedly, a lot of ground work has been laid already, and verbally behind closed doors, most of a deal has already been done. I guess there are a few factors/issues that need to be ironed out (like location) before stuff starts to move towards paper, and he said some of that will not be cleared up until after November 5 of this year, the date of the VA gubernatorial election. Also, there is a leasing issue that the team has to take care of. But, he said that the thought is a deal could be reach and construction started that may take several years to complete (no need to rush) and could allow for an easy (cheaper) contract breach on the Redskins part.

It only makes sense that the Redskins would build a new stadium in Virginia. Why compete for fans with Maryland who has the Baltimore Ravens? The Redskins should further their ties with the great state of Virginia. The most business friendly state in America, lower taxes than DC or Maryland, more people in Virginia than DC or Maryland. It's time for Virginia to stake claim to the Skins.

NO - the Washington Redskins can play and practice in VA, MD, DC or PA - they will ALWAYS be the Washington Redskins

how come the 2 teams from NY are not called the NJ jets and NJ giants

P A T I E N C E - Scot & Jay's goal here is to make this franchise better - it will take time they understand the need to change to primarily building through the draft - plus have some luck go their way

O fo sho! Even though I'm a diehard skins fan, and bleed b&g... I'd never support ruining the franchises history with a move, and more importantly name change.
The Burque (bood Kay) Lobos otoh I'm good with! Lmao

like the man said - it doesn't matter where the players live OR the team practices OR the stadium is located ... in this area
this franchise is going to be the Washington Redskins

P A T I E N C E - Scot & Jay's goal here is to make this franchise better - it will take time they understand the need to change to primarily building through the draft - plus have some luck go their way

Who care where they play, as long as it's in the DMV... though, frankly, they should be working to find a STADIUM in DC... which is, btw, where they earned the right to participate in 5 Superbowls.

And... you are WRONG about Maryland being Ravens territory... Parts of Maryland are Ravens territory... Parts of Maryland are Steelers territory... Parts of Maryland are Eagles territory... and, obtw... parts are Redskins country. More of it will be Redskins country next year, when the Ravens are at home,a nd the Redskins will still be playing.

KERRAKPO9198 wrote:I know there's got to be some Virginians in here that would like to see the Redskins playing football on Sundays in the state of Virginia?

I'm from VA and yes it's Redskins country. To be honest, I'd prefer to see the team play in Washington DC. But, yes. I prefer Virginia over Maryland any day of the week. 295 is always backed up. And Route 50 out of DC is a nightmare on game days. Not to mention that there's nothing in walking distance of the stadium as far as a cool commercial area to enjoy the atmosphere around the stadium. I prefer a DC move.

But, an area of VA like Chantilly, Leesburgh or even near Ashburn would be cool too. I don't know where in Arlington you could fit a stadium, so I doubt that would work. It would have to be far enough out not to create any more of a cluster.

Last edited by The Hogster on Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.